JP2023001725A - connector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a connector capable of preventing an output terminal from vibrating even when electric power is branched off to a plurality of supply destinations and a fuse function is actualized for each branch circuit.SOLUTION: A connector has: an input-side terminal 22 and an output-side terminal 23; a fusible link which connects the input-side terminal and output-side terminal electrically through a fusible body; a housing 10 which has a front wall 111 and a rear wall (cover 30) opposed to the front wall, the housing having a fusible link storage chamber 13 which houses the fusible link in the front wall and a terminal retention part (bottom wall 13a) which retains the input-side terminal and output-side terminal so that they protrude at least in part into the fusible link storage chamber, and the rear wall being made open at least in part; and a cover 30 which closes at least the part and presses at least the output-side terminal against the front wall from behind.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to connectors.

In a vehicle, power supplied from a power supply is distributed to various power supply targets via wire harnesses. When adding or changing the setting of a fusible link circuit due to a change in the power supply object, it is usually necessary to change the shape of a molded part such as a power supply block. Therefore, a connector unit has been proposed in which a connector has a fuse function (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2017-4875 A JP-A-9-63457

However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the input side and the output side are connected by a single fuse even if there is only one output terminal or power can be supplied to a plurality of branch circuits. Therefore, it was not possible to monitor whether the current in each branch circuit exceeded the rating. In order to monitor the current in each branch circuit, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of output terminals and a plurality of input terminals and to connect a fusible material between the input and output terminals. However, when a plurality of output terminals are provided and held by the housing, the output terminals may be affected by vibration or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and its object is to prevent the vibration of the output terminal even when the power supply is branched to a plurality of supply destinations and the fuse function for each branch circuit is realized. To provide a connector capable of preventing

In order to achieve the above object, a connector according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (5).
(1) an input-side terminal and an output-side terminal;
a fusible link that electrically connects the input-side terminal and the output-side terminal via a fusible body;
A housing having a front wall and a rear wall opposite the front wall,
a fusible link housing chamber housing the fusible link in the front wall;
a terminal holding portion that holds the input side terminal and the output side terminal so that a part of the input side terminal and the output side terminal protrude into the fusible link housing chamber;
a housing in which at least a portion of the rear wall is open;
a cover that closes the at least part, and presses at least the output-side terminal against the front wall from behind;
connector.
(2) the housing,
The front wall has a rectangular plate shape,
Having a first side wall and a second side wall respectively standing from a first side end and a second side end of the front wall facing each other,
wherein the rear wall is the cover provided rotatably with respect to the first side wall via a hinge provided at the side edge of the first side wall;
The cover closes the space between the first side wall and the second side wall by contacting the second side wall at the edge portion opposite to the side on which the hinge portion is provided, thereby connecting the output terminal to the output side terminal. In addition, the input terminal is pressed against the front wall from behind;
The connector according to (1) above.
(3) the housing is opened by providing an opening in a part of the rear wall;
The cover has a flat plate portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening. pressing against the front wall,
The connector according to (1) above.
(4) the input-side terminal includes a plurality of input-side terminals that branch an input current from the input-side wire into a plurality of paths;
The output-side terminal includes a plurality of output-side terminals electrically connected to each of the plurality of output-side wires,
the fusible link includes a plurality of fusible bodies;
Each of the plurality of input-side terminals and each of the plurality of output-side terminals are connected one-to-one via the plurality of fusible bodies,
The plurality of output terminals are configured separately from each other,
The connector according to any one of (1) to (3) above.
(5) an input terminal;
a housing that accommodates the input terminal and has a hollow cylindrical portion,
The input terminal is
an input-side connection portion electrically connected to the input-side electric wire;
a plurality of output-side connection portions electrically connected to the plurality of output-side electric wires;
a plurality of fusible bodies disposed between the input-side connection portion and the plurality of output-side connection portions and provided corresponding to each of the plurality of output-side connection portions;
a fixing member that protects the plurality of fusible bodies and fixes the plurality of output-side connection portions to the input-side connection portion;
The housing includes an opening provided in a part of the hollow cylindrical portion;
a locking member that is fitted into the opening to close the opening, the locking member pressing the input-side connecting portion against the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical portion from behind;
connector.

According to the connector having the above configuration (1), the fusible element of the fusible link is connected between the input side terminal and the output side terminal. Even if the fuse function is realized, the vibration of the output terminal can be prevented.

According to the connector having the above configuration (2), the input side terminals and the output side terminals can be pressed against the front wall by rotating the cover to close the rear side of the housing. The side terminals can be fixed to the housing to prevent vibration.

According to the connector having the configuration (3), the input-side terminals and the output-side terminals can be pressed against the front wall by fitting the cover into the opening of the rear wall of the housing. can be fixed to prevent vibration.

According to the connector having the above configuration (4), while preventing the vibration of the output terminal, the power supply can be branched to a plurality of supply destinations, and a fuse function can be realized for each branch circuit.

According to the connector having the above configuration (5), the input-side terminal has a fixing member that protects the plurality of fusible elements and fixes the plurality of output-side connection portions to the input-side connection portion, and the housing includes the input-side terminal. has a locking member that presses the input side connection portion of the housing against the inner wall of the housing. With this configuration, it is possible to branch the power supply to a plurality of supply destinations while preventing vibration of the plurality of output side connection portions, and realize a fuse function for each branch circuit.

According to the present invention, even when the power supply is branched to a plurality of supply destinations and a fuse function is realized for each branch circuit, vibration of the output terminal can be prevented.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state before a fusible link is attached to the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the invention. 6 is a perspective view showing a state before fitting the fusible link, the input connector and the output connector to the connector shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the main connector shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a third embodiment of the invention. 10 is a perspective view showing a state before a female connector is fitted to the male connector shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the male connector shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the main connector shown in FIG. 13. FIG.

Specific embodiments relating to the present invention will be described below with reference to each drawing. An example of adding a connector with a fuse function in a state where a wire harness is routed along a predetermined route to a vehicle will be described below. In each of the following embodiments, for convenience of explanation, "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" are defined as shown in each drawing. "Front-back direction", "left-right direction" and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state before the fusible link FL is attached to the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1, and is a view seen through the housing 10. FIG. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1 at the central position in the left-right direction. Note that the illustration of the fusible link FL is omitted in FIG. One or more conductors of each of the wires WI, WO1 to WO3 are covered with an insulator, but the conductors are not shown in FIGS.

The connector 1 of the first embodiment includes an input wire WI, three output wires WO1, WO2, and WO3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as output wires WO), a housing 10, and a fusible link FL. , provided.

The input wire WI has a round terminal 21 at one end of the wire body and an input terminal 22 at the other end. Round terminal 21 is connected to a power supply.
The input-side terminal 22 has three rectangular tabs 221 that are electrically connected to each of the three terminals (+ side) of the fusible link FL by contact, and the three tabs 221 that are substantially perpendicular to the tabs 221 . and a connecting rectangular base 222 . The input-side terminal 22 further has a wire crimping portion 223 that is connected to the base portion 222 and crimped to the wire body, and has a substantially L shape when viewed in the left-right direction.

The output-side electric wire WO has an output-side terminal 23 at one end of the electric wire body, and a load such as an electrical component mounted on the vehicle is connected to the other end. The number of output-side electric wires WO is not limited to three, and may be one or two.
The output terminal 23 has a rectangular tab 231 electrically connected to one of the three terminals (negative side) of the fusible link FL by contact, and a base 232 connected to the tab 231 so as to form a substantially right angle. and have The output-side terminal 23 further has a wire crimping portion 233 that is connected to the base portion 232 and crimped to the wire body, and has a substantially L shape when viewed in the left-right direction. Each output terminal 23 is configured separately from each other.

The housing 10 has a housing body 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a fusible link housing wall 12 having a substantially hollow square tubular shape provided at a substantially central position in the vertical direction of a front wall 111 of the housing body. The interior of the fusible link housing wall 12 becomes a fusible link housing chamber 13 that houses the fusible link FL.

The housing body 11 has a rectangular plate-shaped front wall 111, and a first side wall 112 and a second side wall 113 that stand upright from a first side end portion and a second side end portion of the front wall 111 facing each other. A rear wall facing the front wall 111 is composed of a cover 30 which will be described later. In other words, the housing 10 is closed by the cover 30 with the entire rear wall open. The space between the first side wall 112 and the second side wall 113 is closed (closed) by the cover 30, so that between the front wall 111 and the cover 30, an input terminal housing chamber CI for housing the input terminal 22 is formed. , and an output-side terminal accommodating chamber CO for accommodating the output-side terminal 23 are formed.

The front wall 111 has a first portion 111a extending from the upper end of the housing body 11 to the lower end of the fusible link accommodating chamber 13, and a second portion 111b arranged forward of the first portion 111a. That is, in the front wall 111, the space between the cover 30 functioning as a rear wall and the second portion 111b is wider than the space between the cover 30 and the first portion 111a, and the input wire WI is thicker than the output wire WO. can accommodate

An area (bottom wall 13 a ) surrounded by the fusible link housing wall 12 in the front wall 111 has openings for partially projecting the input terminals 22 and the output terminals 23 into the fusible link housing chamber 13 . Three portions 13b and 13c (see FIG. 4) are provided. In other words, the bottom wall 13 a functions as a terminal holding portion that holds the input terminal 22 and the output terminal 23 so that a part of them protrudes into the fusible link housing chamber 13 .

The cover 30 is provided rotatably with respect to the first side wall 112 via a hinge portion provided on the side edge of the first side wall 112 . The hinge portion is formed by a thin portion of the first side wall 112, for example. The cover 30 includes an input-side cover 31 that covers the input-side terminals 22 and an output-side cover 32 that covers the output-side terminals 23 .

The input side cover 31 has a rectangular flat plate 311 , ribs 312 and 314 and two upright walls 313 . The ribs 312 and 314 extend in the left-right direction on the flat plate 311 and project from the flat plate 311 into the input-side terminal accommodating chambers CI when the input-side cover 31 is closed. The height of the rib 312 is lower than that of the rib 314, and the rib 314 presses the base 222 of the input terminal 22 against the front wall 111 from behind. The standing wall 313 is an L-shaped member higher than the rib 314 and is arranged to surround the lower corner of the flat plate 311 . The left and right sides of the base portion 222 of the input terminal 22 are in contact with the portions of the two standing walls 313 extending in the left and right direction. The wire crimping portion 223 of the input terminal 22 is arranged between the vertically extending portions of the two standing walls 313 .

The output side cover 32 has a rectangular flat plate 321 , ribs 322 and 324 and two partition walls 323 . The ribs 322 and 324 extend in the left-right direction on the flat plate 321 and protrude from the flat plate 321 into the output-side terminal accommodating chambers CO when the output-side cover 32 is closed. The height of the rib 324 is lower than that of the rib 322, and the rib 324 presses the base 232 of the output terminal 23 against the front wall 111 from behind. The partition wall 323 extends in the vertical direction on the flat plate 321 and partitions the output-side terminal accommodating chambers CO into three such that each output-side terminal 23 is accommodated therein. The left and right sides of the base portion 222 of the input terminal 22 are in contact with the portions of the two standing walls 313 extending in the left and right direction. The wire crimping portion 223 of the input terminal 22 is arranged between the vertically extending portions of the two standing walls 313 .

Both the input side cover 31 and the output side cover 32 are rotatably fixed to the first side wall 112 via hinge portions. When the input-side cover 31 and the output-side cover 32 are closed, the ribs 312 of the input-side cover 31 and the ribs 322 of the output-side cover 32 abut against each other to prevent rattling.

The fusible link FL includes a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to the input terminal 22 and the output terminal 23, respectively, and a fusible body provided between the first terminal and the second terminal. have. The fusible link FL has three first terminals, three second terminals, and three fusible bodies. When the above current flows, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically cut off. In the fusible link FL, three fusible elements are provided for each pair of the first terminal and the second terminal, and each of the three tabs 221 and each of the three tabs 231 form a plurality of fusible links of the fusible link FL. A one-to-one connection is established through each of the solutions. Therefore, when the power supply power from the input-side wire WI is supplied to the three branch circuits, the current flowing through each of the output-side terminals 23 can be monitored.

Assembly of the connector 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, with the cover 30 open, the input terminal 22 and the output terminal 23 are brought close to the front wall 111 from behind the housing body 11 . The three tabs 221 are inserted into the three openings 13b, and the tabs 231 are inserted into the three openings 13c, respectively, so that the tabs 221, 231 protrude into the fusible link accommodating chamber 13 (front of the housing body 11). Let That is, the input terminal 22 and the output terminal 23 are held by the bottom wall 13a.

Next, the input side cover 31 is rotated to close the opened lower portion of the rear wall of the housing 10 , and the ribs 314 press the input side terminals 22 against the front wall 111 . Similarly, the output side cover 32 is rotated to close the opened rear wall of the housing 10 , and the ribs 314 press the input side terminals 22 against the front wall 111 .

As described above, according to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, the fusible body of the fusible link FL is connected between the input terminal 22 and each output terminal 23, so that power is supplied to a plurality of supply destinations. A fuse function for each branch circuit can be realized when branching to a branch circuit. According to this connector 1, the fusible link circuit can be added or the setting can be changed without changing the shape of the molded part such as the power supply block. In addition, since the number of branch circuits can be changed by changing the number of output-side electric wires WO connected to the connector 1, the degree of freedom in vehicle mounting is improved.

Further, according to the connector 1 of the present embodiment, by closing the rear wall of the housing 10 with the cover 30, the input terminals 22 and the output terminals 23 are pressed against the front wall 111 from behind. Therefore, the input-side terminal 22 and the output-side terminal 23 can be fixed to the housing 10 and vibration of the input-side terminal 22 and the output-side terminal 23 can be prevented.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connector 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state before fitting the fusible link FL, the input connector 90 and the output connector 70 to the connector 2 shown in FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the main connector 80 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector 2 shown in FIG. 5 at the central position in the left-right direction. Note that the illustration of the fusible link FL is omitted in FIG. One or more conductors of each of the wires WIA, WO1A to WO3A are covered with an insulator, but the illustration of the conductors is omitted in FIGS.

The connector 2 of the second embodiment includes an input connector 90, an output connector 70, a main connector 80, and a fusible link FL.

The input connector 90 has a female terminal 91 (see FIG. 8) at one end and an input side wire WIA with the other end connected to a power supply, and a housing 92 holding the female terminal 91 .

The output connector 70 has three output-side wires WO1A, WO2A, and WO3A (hereinafter sometimes referred to as output-side wires WOA) and a housing 72 that holds three female terminals 71 (see FIG. 8). . Each of the output-side wires WOA has a female terminal 71 at one end of the wire body, and a load such as an electrical component mounted on a vehicle is connected to the other end. The number of output-side electric wires WOA is not limited to three, and may be one or two.

The main connector 80 has a housing 81 , an input side bus bar 85 (input side terminals), an output side bus bar 86 (output side terminals), and a cover 87 .

The housing 81 includes a housing body 81a having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a fusible link housing wall 82 having a substantially hollow rectangular tubular shape provided at a substantially central position in the vertical direction of a front wall 81b of the housing body 81a. The interior of the fusible link housing wall 82 becomes a fusible link housing chamber 83 that houses the fusible link FL.

The housing body 81a has a rectangular plate-like front wall 81b, a rear wall 81c facing the front wall 81b, and left and right side walls 81d connecting the front wall 81b and the rear wall 81c. It has an opening 84 at the bottom. By fitting the cover 87 into the opening 84 to close (close) the opening 84, an input side housing chamber for housing the input connector 90 is formed between the front wall 81b and the rear wall 81c covered with the cover 87. , and an output side housing chamber for housing the output connector 70 are formed.

An area (bottom wall 82a) surrounded by the fusible link housing wall 82 in the front wall 81b has an opening for projecting a part of each of the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 into the fusible link housing chamber 83. Three each of portions 83c and 83d (see FIG. 8) are provided. In other words, the bottom wall 82 a functions as a terminal holding portion that holds the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 so that a part thereof protrudes into the fusible link accommodating chamber 83 .

The input-side bus bar 85 has three rectangular tabs 85a that are electrically connected to each of the three terminals (+ side) of the fusible link FL by contact, and three tabs 85a that are substantially perpendicular to the tabs 85a. and a rectangular connection portion 85b for connection. The input-side bus bar 85 further has a female terminal contact portion 85c that extends downward from the center of the connection portion 85b in the left-right direction and is inserted into the female terminal 91 of the input connector 90 for electrical connection. It has a substantially L shape.

The output side bus bar 86 includes a rectangular tab 86a electrically connected to any one of the three terminals (negative side) of the fusible link FL by contact, and extends substantially perpendicular to the tab 86a to provide an output terminal. and a base portion 86b that is inserted into and electrically connected to the female terminal 71 of the connector 70 . The base portion 86b is narrower at the top than at the bottom so that it can be easily inserted into the female terminal 71 . The output terminal 23 has a substantially L shape when viewed in the left-right direction. Each output side bus bar 86 is configured separately from each other.

The cover 87 includes a flat plate 87a having a rectangular shape with both corners of one side notched, that is, a substantially T-shape, ribs 87b, 87c, and 87d extending in the horizontal direction, and three ribs 87e extending in the vertical direction. , 87f, 87g.
The flat plate 87a has a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening 84 provided in the rear wall 81c of the housing body 81a.
The ribs 87b, 87c, 87d and the ribs 87e, 87f, 87g all protrude from the flat plate 87a into the housing body 81a when the cover 87 is closed.

The lower surface of the output connector 70 contacts the upper surface of the rib 87b. The rib 87b has three concave portions, and the base portions 86b of the output-side busbars 86 are placed in these concave portions.
The rib 87c is positioned between the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 and contacts the rear surface of the bottom wall 82a to prevent rattling.
The upper surface of the input connector 90 contacts the lower surface of the rib 87d. The rib 87d has a recess in the center in the left-right direction, and the female terminal contact portion 85c of the input side bus bar 85 is placed in this recess.

The three ribs 87e are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the horizontal direction of the flat plate 87a and abut against the rear surface of the housing 72 of the output connector 70. As shown in FIG.
The three ribs 87f are taller than the ribs 87e and are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction of the flat plate 87a to press the base portion 86b of the output-side bus bar 86 against the front wall 81b from behind.
The three ribs 87g have the same height as the ribs 87f and are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the horizontal direction of the flat plate 87a to press the connecting portion 85b of the input side bus bar 85 against the front wall 81b from behind. do.

The fusible link FL includes a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86, respectively, and a fusible body provided between the first terminal and the second terminal. have. The fusible link FL has three first terminals, three second terminals, and three fusible bodies. When the above current flows, the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically cut off. The fusible link FL is provided with three fusible elements for each pair of first and second terminals, and each of the three tabs 85a and each of the three tabs 86a form a plurality of fusible links of the fusible link FL. A one-to-one connection is established through each of the solutions. Therefore, when the power supply power from the input connector 90 is supplied to the three branch circuits, the current flowing through each of the output-side wires WOA can be monitored.

Assembly of the connector 2 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 7, the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 are brought close to the front wall 81b from the rear side of the housing body 11 with the cover 87 removed. The three tabs 85a are inserted into the three openings 83c, and the tabs 86a are inserted into the three openings 83d, respectively, so that the tabs 85a and 86a protrude into the fusible link accommodating chamber 83 (front of the housing body 81a). Let That is, the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 are held by the bottom wall 82a.
Next, the cover 87 is fitted into the opening 84 and closed, the rib 87g presses the input side bus bar 85 against the front wall 111, and the rib 87f presses the output side bus bar 86 against the front wall 81b.

The input connector 90 is fitted from below the main connector 80 assembled as described above, and the input side electric wire WIA and the input side bus bar 85 are electrically connected. In addition, the output connector 70 is fitted to the main connector 80 from above the main connector 80 to electrically connect the output-side electric wire WOA and the output-side bus bar 86 . By fitting the input connector 90 and the output connector 70 to the main connector 80 in this manner, the connector 2 can connect the input side wire WIA and each output side wire WOA via the fusible link FL. .

As described above, according to the connector 2 of this embodiment, the fusible element of the fusible link FL is connected between the input-side bus bar 85 and the output-side bus bar 86, so power is supplied to a plurality of supply destinations. When branching, a fuse function can be realized for each branch circuit. According to this connector 2, the fusible link circuit can be added or the setting can be changed without changing the shape of the molded part such as the power supply block. In addition, since the number of branch circuits can be changed by changing the number of output-side electric wires WOA connected to the output connector 70, the degree of freedom in vehicle mounting is improved.

Further, according to the connector 2 of the present embodiment, by closing the opening 84 of the housing 81 with the cover 87, the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 are pressed against the front wall 81b from behind. Therefore, by fixing the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 to the housing 81, vibration of the input side bus bar 85 and the output side bus bar 86 can be prevented.

(Third Embodiment and Fourth Embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments described above, the connectors 1 and 2 provided with the fusible link FL between the input side terminal and the output side terminal have been described. Alternatively, a bus bar with a fusible body can be used. Hereinafter, a connector provided with a terminal with a fusible element will be described in the third embodiment, and a connector provided with a bus bar with a fusible element will be described in the fourth embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connector 3 according to a third embodiment of the invention. 10 is a perspective view showing a state before a female connector is fitted to the male connector shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the male connector shown in FIG. 9. FIG. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 9 at the central position in the left-right direction. One or more conductors of each of the wires WIB, WO1B to WO3B are covered with an insulator, but the illustration of the conductors is omitted in FIGS.

A connector 3 according to the third embodiment includes a male connector 40 and a female connector 60 .

The female connector 60 has three output-side wires WO1B, WO2B, and WO3B (hereinafter sometimes referred to as output-side wires WOB) and a housing 61 that holds three female terminals 53 (see FIG. 12). . Each of the output-side wires WOB has a female terminal 53 at one end of the wire body, and a load such as an electrical component mounted on the vehicle is connected to the other end. The number of output-side electric wires WOB is not limited to three, and may be one or two.

The male connector 40 has a housing 41 , a wire WIB having a terminal 52 with a fusible body, a transparent cover 45 and a locking member 46 .

The housing 41 has a hollow prismatic shape, and has an accommodating portion 42 that accommodates the female connector 60 and an accommodating portion 43 that accommodates the terminal 52 with a fusible body.
The accommodating portion 42 partitions the inside of the housing 41 with a bottom wall 42a (see FIG. 12) extending in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The bottom wall 42a is provided with three openings 42b into which the three tabs 521 of the terminal with fusible body 52 are respectively inserted.
The housing 41 has an opening 41b at the center in the vertical direction and below the accommodating portion 42, the opening 41b connecting from the front surface to part of both side surfaces. The opening 41b has a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is fitted with a transparent cover 45 so that the inside of the housing 41 can be visually recognized from the outside.
The housing 41 has an opening 41a below the opening 41b that extends from the rear surface to part of both side surfaces. The opening 41a has a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is closed by being fitted with a locking member 46 .

The wire WIB has a round terminal 51 at one end of the wire body and a terminal 52 with a fusible body at the other end. Round terminal 51 is connected to a power source.

The terminal 52 with a fusible body is a conductive member, and includes three rectangular tabs 521 (output side connection portion), a wire crimping portion 522 (input side connection portion) crimped to the wire body of the wire WIB, and a wire crimping portion. and a rectangular base 523 that connects to the portion 522 .
The three tabs 521 are electrically connected to each of the three female terminals 53 of the female connector 60 by contact.

The terminal with fusible body 52 further has three fusible bodies 524 provided between the base 523 and each of the three tabs 521 , and protects the three fusible bodies 524 , and attaches the three tabs 521 to the base 523 . and a protective component 525 (fixing member) to be fixed. The protective component 525 is configured by a transparent resin mold or a separate transparent component. Since the three tabs 521 are fixed to the base portion 523 by the protective component 525 , by fixing a part of the terminal with fusible body 52 inside the housing 41 , vibration of the three tabs 521 can be suppressed.

The three fusible bodies 524 provide electrical continuity between the base 523 and each tab 521 in a steady state, and fuse to disconnect the base 523 and each tab 521 when a current exceeding the rating flows. do. In terminal 52 with a fusible body, three fusible bodies 524 are provided between base 523 and three tabs 521 respectively, and each tab 521 is electrically connected to each female terminal 53 of female connector 60 . Therefore, when the power supply power from the input side wire WIB is supplied to the three branch circuits, the current flowing through each of the three female terminals 53 can be monitored.

The transparent cover 45 is a transparent resin cover having a U shape when viewed in the vertical direction. The transparent cover 45 is fitted into the opening 41b on the front surface of the housing 41 to protect the inside of the housing 41 and make it visible from the outside. Since the fusible body 524 fixed by the transparent protective part 525 is arranged at the position of the opening 41b, when the fusible body 524 is fused, it can be confirmed from the outside without removing the transparent cover 45. .

The locking member 46 includes a substantially rectangular flat plate portion 462 provided with an opening 461 in the center in the left-right direction on the front side, and an upright wall portion 463 extending downward from the rear end edge of the flat plate portion 462 to part of both side edges. and have The locking member 46 is fitted into the housing 41 through an opening 41a on the rear side of the housing 41 to close the opening 41a, and a U-shaped peripheral wall 461a surrounding the opening 461 holds a part of the terminal 52 with the fusible element in the housing 41. Press against the inner wall. In addition, the locking member 46 contacts the inner wall of the housing 41 at the edge of the flat plate portion 462 where the vertical wall portion 463 is not provided.

Assembly of the connector 3 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 11, with the transparent cover 45 and locking member 46 removed, the terminal 52 with fusible body is brought close to the bottom wall 42a from below the housing 41, and three tabs are inserted into the three openings 42b. 521 respectively. That is, the tab 521 is held by the bottom wall 42a. Next, the locking member 46 is fitted into the opening 41a from behind to close it. At this time, the peripheral wall 461a presses the space between the base portion 523 of the terminal with fusible element 52 and the wire crimping portion 522 against the inner wall of the housing 41, and the edge portion of the locking member 46 where the standing wall portion 463 is not provided is It contacts the inner wall of the housing 41 . In this manner, the fusible body attached terminal 52 is fixed to the housing 41 . After that, the transparent cover 45 is fitted into the opening 41b.

The female connector 60 is fitted from above the male connector 40 assembled as described above, and the output-side electric wire WOB and the terminal 52 with the busbar are electrically connected. By fitting the male connector 40 and the female connector 60 in this way, the connector 3 can connect the input-side wire WIB and each output-side wire WOB via the fusible body 524 .

As described above, according to the connector 3 of this embodiment, the input-side electric wire WIB having the terminal 52 with a fusible body is incorporated into the male connector 40 . Therefore, by fitting the male connector 40 and the female connector 60 together, a fuse function can be realized for each branch circuit when power is branched to a plurality of supply destinations. According to this connector 3, the fusible link circuit can be added or the setting can be changed without changing the shape of the molded part such as the power supply block. In addition, since the number of branch circuits can be changed by changing the number of output-side electric wires WOB connected to the female connector 60, the degree of freedom in vehicle mounting is improved.

Further, according to the connector 3 of the present embodiment, the three tabs 521 of the terminal with fusible element 52 are fixed by the protective component 525 , and the terminal with fusible element 52 is pressed against the housing 41 by the locking member 46 . This configuration can prevent the three tabs 521 from vibrating.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connector 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the main connector 100 shown in FIG. 13. FIG. The connector 4 has the main connector 100 instead of the main connector 80 and the fusible link FL in the connector 2 of the second embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, members and portions that are the same as or similar to the members and portions shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

The connector 4 of the fourth embodiment includes an input connector 90, an output connector 70 and a main connector 100. FIG.

The main connector 100 has a housing 101 , a bus bar 110 with a fusible member, a transparent cover 105 and a locking member 106 .

The housing 101 has a hollow prismatic shape, and has an accommodating portion 102 that accommodates the output connector 70 and an accommodating portion 103 that accommodates the bus bar 110 with a fusible member.
The accommodating portion 102 partitions the inside of the housing 101 with a bottom wall extending in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. The bottom wall is provided with three openings into which the three tabs 1111 of the fusible busbar are respectively inserted.
The housing 101 has an opening 101b at the center in the vertical direction and below the accommodating portion 102, the opening 101b connecting from the front surface to part of both side surfaces. The opening 101b has a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and a transparent cover 105 is fitted therein so that the inside of the housing 101 can be visually recognized from the outside.
The housing 101 has an opening 101a below the opening 101b that extends from the rear surface to part of both side surfaces. The opening 101a has a rectangular shape when viewed in the front-rear direction, and is closed by being fitted with a locking member 106 .

Bus bar 110 with a fusible element is a conductive member, and has three rectangular tabs 1111 (output side connection portion) and rectangular tabs 1114 (input side connection portion).
Each of the three tabs 1111 electrically connects with each of the three female terminals of the output connector 70 by contact. Tabs 1114 electrically connect with female terminals held in housing 92 of input connector 90 .

Bus bar 110 with a fusible body further has a rectangular base 1112 connected to tab 1114, three fusible bodies 1113, and protective component 1115 (fixing member).
Three fusible bodies 1113 are respectively provided between the base 1112 and each of the three tabs 1111 .
A protective component 1115 protects the three fusible bodies 1113 and secures the three tabs 1111 to the base 1112 . The protective component 1115 is configured by a transparent resin mold or a separate transparent component. Since the three tabs 1111 are fixed to the base portion 1112 by the protective component 1115, by fixing a part of the bus bar 110 with fusible element inside the housing 101, vibration of the three tabs 1111 can be suppressed.

The three fusible bodies 1113 provide electrical continuity between the base 523 and each tab 521 in a steady state, and fuse to disconnect the base 523 and each tab 521 when a current exceeding the rating flows. do. In terminal 52 with a fusible body, three fusible bodies 524 are provided between base 523 and three tabs 521 respectively, and each tab 521 is electrically connected to each female terminal 53 of female connector 60 . Therefore, when the power supply power from the input side wire WIB is supplied to the three branch circuits, the current flowing through each of the three female terminals 53 can be monitored.

The transparent cover 105 is a transparent resin cover having a U shape when viewed in the vertical direction. The transparent cover 105 is fitted into the opening 101b on the front surface of the housing 101 to protect the inside of the housing 101 and make it visible from the outside. Since the fusible body 1113 fixed by the transparent protective part 1115 is arranged at the position of the opening 101b, when the fusible body 1113 is fused, it can be confirmed from the outside without removing the transparent cover 105. .

The locking member 106 has a substantially rectangular flat plate portion 1062 with an opening 1061 provided in the center in the left-right direction on the front side, and vertical wall portions 1063 extending downward from the rear edge of the flat plate portion 1062 to part of both side edges. and have Locking member 106 is fitted into housing 101 from opening 101a on the rear side of housing 101 to close opening 101a, and tab 1114 of bus bar 110 with fusible element is held by U-shaped peripheral wall 1061a surrounding opening 1061. Press against the inner wall. In addition, the locking member 106 contacts the inner wall of the housing 101 at the edge of the flat plate portion 1062 where the vertical wall portion 1063 is not provided.

Assembly of the connector 4 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 14, with the transparent cover 105 and the locking member 106 removed, the bus bar 110 with the fusible element is brought close to the bottom wall of the housing 101 from below, and three tabs 1111 are inserted into the three openings. Insert each. That is, the tab 1111 is held on the bottom wall. Next, the locking member 106 is fitted into the opening 101a from behind to close it. At this time, peripheral wall 1061a presses a portion of tab 1114 located directly below base 1112 of busbar with fusible element 110 against the inner wall of housing 101, and the edge of locking member 106 where vertical wall 1063 is not provided is pressed. , abut against the inner wall of the housing 101 . Thus, bus bar 110 with a fusible element is fixed to housing 101 . After that, the transparent cover 105 is fitted into the opening 101b.

The input connector 90 is fitted from below the main connector 100 assembled as described above, and the input side electric wire WIA and the tab 1114 are electrically connected. Also, the output connector 70 is fitted to the main connector 100 from above, and the output-side wire WOA and the tab 1111 are electrically connected. In this way, the main connector 100
By fitting the input connector 90 and the output connector 70 to each other, the connector 4 can connect the input side wire WIA and each output side wire WOA via the fusible body 1113 .

As described above, according to the connector 4 of this embodiment, the bus bar 110 with a fusible element is incorporated into the main connector 100 . Therefore, by fitting the input connector 90 and the output connector 70 to the main connector 100, a fuse function can be realized for each branch circuit when power is branched to a plurality of supply destinations. According to this connector 4, the fusible link circuit can be added or the setting can be changed without changing the shape of the molded part such as the power supply block. In addition, since the number of branch circuits can be changed by changing the number of output-side electric wires WOA connected to the output connector 70, the degree of freedom in vehicle mounting is improved. In addition, by connecting the input and the output with a connector, it becomes easy to replace the fusible element 1113 when it is fused.

Further, according to connector 4 of the present embodiment, three tabs 1111 of bus bar 110 with fusible element are fixed by protective component 1115 , and bus bar 110 with fusible element is pressed against housing 101 by locking member 106 . This configuration can prevent the three tabs 1111 from vibrating.

Here, the features of the connectors according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are briefly listed in [1] to [5] below.
[1] an input terminal (22) and an output terminal (23);
a fusible link (FL) that electrically connects the input-side terminal and the output-side terminal via a fusible body;
A housing (10, 81) having a front wall (111, 81b) and a rear wall (cover 30, rear wall 81c) facing the front wall,
a fusible link housing chamber (13, 83) housing the fusible link in the front wall;
a terminal holding portion (bottom walls 13a, 82a) holding the input-side terminal and the output-side terminal so as to partially protrude into the fusible link housing chamber;
a housing (10, 81), wherein at least a portion of said rear wall is open;
a cover (30, 87) that closes the at least part of the terminal and presses at least the output terminal against the front wall from behind;
Connectors (1,2).
[2] The housing is
The front wall has a rectangular plate shape,
Having a first side wall and a second side wall (112, 113) standing respectively from the first side end and the second side end of the front wall facing each other,
wherein the rear wall is the cover provided rotatably with respect to the first side wall via a hinge provided at the side edge of the first side wall;
The cover (30) closes the space between the first side wall and the second side wall by contacting the second side wall at the edge opposite to the side on which the hinge portion is provided, thereby pressing the input-side terminal in addition to the side terminal against the front wall from behind;
The connector (1) according to [1] above.
[3] The housing is opened by providing an opening (84) in a part of the rear wall,
The cover (87) has a flat plate portion (87a) having a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening. pressing the side terminal from behind against the front wall;
The connector (2) according to [1] above.
[4] The input terminals include a plurality of input terminals for branching an input current from the input electric wire into a plurality of paths,
The output-side terminal includes a plurality of output-side terminals electrically connected to each of the plurality of output-side wires,
the fusible link includes a plurality of fusible bodies;
Each of the plurality of input-side terminals and each of the plurality of output-side terminals are connected one-to-one via the plurality of fusible bodies,
The plurality of output terminals are configured separately from each other,
The connector according to any one of [1] to [3] above.
[5] input-side terminal (bus bar with fusible body);
a housing that accommodates the input terminal and has a hollow cylindrical portion,
The input terminal is
an input-side connection portion (wire crimping portion 522) electrically connected to the input-side wire;
a plurality of output-side connection portions (tabs 521) electrically connected to the plurality of output-side electric wires;
a plurality of fusible bodies disposed between the input-side connection portion and the plurality of output-side connection portions and provided corresponding to each of the plurality of output-side connection portions;
a fixing member that protects the plurality of fusible bodies and fixes the plurality of output-side connection portions to the input-side connection portion;
The housing includes an opening (41a) provided in a part of the hollow cylindrical portion,
a locking member (46) that is fitted into the opening to close the opening, the locking member (46) pressing the input-side connecting portion against the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical portion from behind; ,
connector.

1, 2, 3, 4 connectors 10, 41, 61, 72, 81, 92, 101 housing 11 housing bodies 12, 82 fusible link housing walls 13, 83 fusible link housing chambers 13a, 42a bottom walls 13b, 13c, 42b opening 22 input side terminal 23 output side terminals 30, 87 cover 31 input side cover 32 output side cover 40 male connectors 41a, 41b openings 42, 43 accommodating portions 45, 105 transparent covers 46, 106 locking member 60 female connector 70 output connector 80 main connector 87 cover 90 input connector 100 main connector 524 fusible body 525, 1115 protective part FL fusible link

Claims (5)

an input-side terminal and an output-side terminal;
a fusible link that electrically connects the input-side terminal and the output-side terminal via a fusible body;
A housing having a front wall and a rear wall opposite the front wall,
a fusible link housing chamber housing the fusible link in the front wall;
a terminal holding portion that holds the input side terminal and the output side terminal so that a part of the input side terminal and the output side terminal protrude into the fusible link housing chamber;
a housing in which at least a portion of the rear wall is open;
a cover that closes the at least part, and presses at least the output-side terminal against the front wall from behind;
connector. The housing is
The front wall has a rectangular plate shape,
Having a first side wall and a second side wall respectively standing from a first side end and a second side end of the front wall facing each other,
wherein the rear wall is the cover provided rotatably with respect to the first side wall via a hinge provided at the side edge of the first side wall;
The cover closes the space between the first side wall and the second side wall by contacting the second side wall at the edge portion opposite to the side on which the hinge portion is provided, thereby connecting the output terminal to the output side terminal. In addition, the input terminal is pressed against the front wall from behind;
A connector according to claim 1. The housing is open with an opening provided in a part of the rear wall,
The cover has a flat plate portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening. pressing against the front wall,
A connector according to claim 1. The input-side terminal includes a plurality of input-side terminals that branch the input current from the input-side wire into a plurality of paths,
The output-side terminal includes a plurality of output-side terminals electrically connected to each of the plurality of output-side wires,
the fusible link includes a plurality of fusible bodies;
Each of the plurality of input-side terminals and each of the plurality of output-side terminals are connected one-to-one via the plurality of fusible bodies,
The plurality of output terminals are configured separately from each other,
The connector according to any one of claims 1-3. an input terminal;
a housing that accommodates the input terminal and has a hollow cylindrical portion,
The input terminal is
an input-side connection portion electrically connected to the input-side electric wire;
a plurality of output-side connection portions electrically connected to the plurality of output-side electric wires;
a plurality of fusible bodies disposed between the input-side connection portion and the plurality of output-side connection portions and provided corresponding to each of the plurality of output-side connection portions;
a fixing member that protects the plurality of fusible bodies and fixes the plurality of output-side connection portions to the input-side connection portion;
The housing is
an opening provided in a part of the hollow cylindrical portion;
a locking member that is fitted into the opening to close the opening, the locking member pressing the input-side connecting portion against the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical portion from behind;
connector.

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